The Queensland government has knocked back a coal exploration licence close to the Great Barrier Reef. 

The state rejected the proposed coal exploration licence in an area of prime farmland and near a marine breeding ground for the southern Great Barrier Reef.

The state’s resources minister, Scott Stewart, announced he would refuse Fox Resources’ mining development licence, MDL3040, on the grounds of public interest.

“There is significant adverse community sentiment about this mineral development licence,” Stewart said.

“This is particularly in relation to the potential negative environmental, agricultural and social impacts in the Bundaberg region.”

Bundaberg’s mayor, former LNP minister Jack Dempsey, said the government should not have taken so long to reject the proposal.